Metallic box-strap.



S. C. CARY.

METALLIC BOX STRAP. APPLICATION FILED DEO. 3, 190s.

Patented Jan. 10, 1911.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

l Wl TNESSES A TTHNEYS S. C. CARY.

METALLIC BOX STRAP.

APPLIOATION FILED Dnc. a, 1908.

y LSQ, Patented Jail. 10,1911.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

K. Cz

Wl TNESSES quired to be used. From an economical lpacking cases, and other containers.

' edges imparting :i finished appearance to the SPENCER C. CARY, 0F NEW YORK, N. Y., ASSIGNOR T0 CARY MANUFACTURING CO.,

' 0F NEW YORK, N. Y., A CORPORATION 0F NEW YORK.

' METALLIC BOX-STRAP.'

Specifica-tion of Letters Patent.

Patented Jan'. io, i911.

Application led December 3, 1908. Serial No. 465,788.

T 0 all whom 'it may concern: A

Be it known that I, SPENCER C. CARY, a citizen of the United States, residing in the city of New York, borough' of Brooklyn, county of Kings, and Statevof New York, have' ,invented a certain new and useful Metallic Box-Strap, of which'the following is a specification.

This invention is a metallic box strap, the objects in View being, first, to produce a novel form of strap which is superior, in many respects, to straps now to be found in the trade, and, second, to secure economy in the manufacture of the article.

t Metallic straps are now used extensively in the work` of nailing up wooden boxes, One f orm of strap favored by the trade is a continuous strap coiled upon itself to produce a compact package, which strap is sometimes contained or held iii a frame or hanger, from which the strap may be un'coiled, as it is restandpoint, it is desirable to manufacture the strap from sheets of metal.

IIn carrying out the invention according to one inode of procedure, a sheet of ductile or annealed metal of the required gage, is cut or punched along an edge at one end of the sheet, or along an end edge of a wide strip cut from thesheet, said cuttingor punching of the sheet or strip operating to produce tongues integral with the sheet, each tongue having a rivet hole. When a sheet is cut or punched to produce the tongues at an end edge thereof, said sheet is subsequently cut frito narrow lengths, the lines of the cuts being intermediate the tongues. The lengths thus produced are a trifle wider than the resulting strap, each separate length having anv integral tongue, said ton ue being preferably narrower than the width of the metallic length, and said lengths are then joined end to end, so as to produce a box strapping of any desired lineal dimensions, varying from 800 feet to one thousand feet, or more, in length. The product of my invention is characterized, mainly, by two structural features which are novel in the art, first, a strong flush joint between the united lengths of the strap, and, second, rounded and folded or overlapping edges which, at the joint, add strength to the united lengths, said folded product, increasing the strength thereof, and

precluding the strap from cutting the hands of the operators when nailing the strap to the box or package. The tongues at one end of the metal lap over the straight end of the next metallic piece, and the two pieces are then secured together by' rivets which pass through the tongues. If the metal pieces are narrow lengths or strips I now run the united pieces through a metal flanging niachine which doubles or folds the sideV edges of the metal uponv said pieces. This produces the folds which run lengthwise of the strap so as to give the rounded finished edges thereto', and which increase the strength of the strap. In this connection it is important to note that the flanged side edges of the strap are folded at the joint between` two adjacent pieces so as to overlap the tongue, whereby the joint at the united ends of the pieces is reinforced by the flanged or doubled metal. I thus avoid the production of fou-r overlapping thicknesses of metal at the joint between the pieces, which otherwise would have a tendency to make the united ends too bulky and unsightly. Asfstated, the flanged metal overlaps the tongue so as to reinforce the latter, and by passing the lengths through the pass of appropriate bending rolls, the metal is turned land pressed upon itself rapidly and economically. In soiiie cases, I may employ a strip of paper or other material, held on one face of the strap by the flanged edges thereof, the paper strip covering the joints and being adapted to carry advertising or other matter.

In the accompanying drawings, I have illustrated different practical embodiments of the invention, but the constructions shown therein are to be understood as illustrative, only, and not as defining the limits of the invention. j

.Figure l is a perspective view of a por y tion of a box with the metallic st rap applied thereto. Fig. 2 is a view showing the operation of cutting lengths of metal from a sheet in the process of making the strap.-

Fig. 3 is a detail view of one of the .cut lengths. Fig. 4 illustrates the connection between two lengths of strap. Fig. 5 1s aside or edge view of the device shown in Fig. 4. Fig. 6 is a plan View of the completed strap, illustrating the novel construction of joint between two lengths. Figs. 7 and 8 are longitudinal and cross sections on the in Figs. 4 to 8, inclusive, comprise a pluf Linent with the strap, as at a, b.- The fold vingto this invention, the folded or doubled lines 7-7 and 8 8, respectively, of Fig. 6. l Figs. 9, 10, 11, and 12 illustrate the steps employed in the' preferred mode of procedureV employed by ine for economically producing the metallic strap. Figs. 13, 14, and 1,5 represent a perspective view, a planview, and a section on the line 15-15 of Fig. 14 of another forinof the box strap wherein aI length of paper, or the like, covers the joints between pieces or lengths of the strap. Fig. 16 is a plan view illustrating another embodiment of the invention.

The box strap of my invention, as shown rality of pieces or lengths, two of which are indicated by the reference characters, A, B. Each piece or length is provided at o ne end with a tongue, C, the latter being 1ntegral with said length. The width of tongue, C, is less than. that of the metal composing the piece or length, and said tongue of each piece is arranged to overlap an end portion of the next piece, as shown. The overlapping parts are united, preferably, by means of a rivet, D, which 'passes through the tongue of one piece and the end portion of an adjacent piece.

The strap is composed of any suitable number of metallic pieces united in end to end order and producing a continuous strip of metal which is of such length that it may be Wound or coiled int-o a compact bundle.'

An important feature of my new metallic strap consists in folding or doubling the side edges thereof in to overlapping engageon each edge extends the full length of the strap, and it produces a rounded finished edge which will not cut or injure the hands of the operators, thus overcoming one of the practical objections to the ordinary sheet metal strap which is provided with sharp edges. .The folded or doubled edges of the strap provide beads or flanges'which tend, also, to materially strengthen or reinforce the strap, and thereby obviate easy breakage of the strap along its edges. Accordedges, a, of the strap overlap the side edges of tongue, C, as indicated at c. This increases the metal at the joint between pieces, A, B, and precludes movement or displacement of tongue, C, relative to the next metal piece to `which said tongue is united. Furthermore, the beads or flanges, a, b, overlapping tongues, C, add strength to the strap at the part which otherwise would be weakest part of said strap, so that in my new strap the joined parts of 'the pieces are as strong, if not stronger, than the other parts thereof. It is to be observed that the folded or doubled edges, al, b, are continuous withl respect to pieces or lengths, A, B, and tongues, C, thus giving a neat and-'finished appearance to the strap.

My new strap is economical to manufacture, and according to this part' of my invention, the proceduie involved embraces several steps whereby thin sheet metal is punched, cut, flangedand otherwise inanipulated, so as torapidly and cheaply produce a box strap possessing vthe salient features of the invention as herein set forth.

According to one embodiment of the iiiveiition, a'metal sheet, E, (FigJQ) of the required gage and ductility, is prepared by cutting tongues, C, alongone (or more) of its edges, each tongue being provided with a rivet hole, c. The sheetI is next cut or slit lengthwise, as at e, the lines ofthe cuts being intermediate the tongues, whereby a number of pieces, A, B, are produced, each'having at one end a tongue, C, integral therewith. If desired, the holes, c3, for' rivet, D, may be punchedl in the metal sheet at the time of producing tongues, C, thereon, or said rivet holes may be punched in the sheet subsequently, or in pieces, A, B, after eutting them from sheet, E. A The next step is to assemble pieces, A, B, in end to end order, for tongue, C, of one piece to overlap the straight end of the next` piece, and rivets,- D, are inserted and headed. The strap is now fed into a flanging and bending machine of any suitable construction. This machine operates to fold the side edges upon the body of the strap, as heretofore described, whereby flanges or beads, 0 Zi, are -foi'ined and the said anges or beads are caused to overlap the side edges of tongues, C. The folded edges are pressed firmly upon the body portions of pieces, A, B, and the edge portions of tongues, C, and at the sameY time rivets, D, are headed and pressed firmly into place by .the pressure of rolls in said fianging and bending machine; also, the lapped parts of tongues, C, and folded edges of pieces, A, B, are pressed fiat so.that the resulting strap presents a neat appearance, and is strong and durable in construction.

'llie preferred mode of procedure for economically manufacturing the strap is portrayed in Figs. 9 to 12 inclusive. As shown, strips or pieces, F, G, are cut from a sheet of metal of the required ycharacter,leach strip, F or G, being lwide enough to produceV a number of individual straps; the number may vary from two orthree up to nine, ten, or more. Each strip is cut along one end edge to produce tongues, C', and said strip is punched at c and at o2 to produce rivet holes, rivet holes, c2, being in tongues, C, see Fig. 9. Strips, F, Gr, are now assembled in substantially end to end order, see Fig. 10, so that tongues, C', of one piece or Vstrip overlap the end of the neXt piece or strip, holes, 12, of said tongues being in register with holes, c', Rivets, D, are now inserted in the registering holes, and they are headed simultaneously, by suitlli) able machinery. Any desired number of pieces, F, G, are united toproduce metal of the required length, say from 300 feet to 1,000 feet, more or less. The strips .composed of united pieces are wound or coiled into a compact bundle, as at Gr in Fig. 11.

Subsequently the wound bundle or coil is slitted or cut while the lmetal is in coiled condition, the slits or cuts, g', being on parallel lines and in the intervals between tongues, C', of pieces, F, G.' This operation is quickly and cheaply performed by appropriate machinery, and it results in a plurality of coiled^ lengths of metal, the

width of the metal in the individual coils.

being slightly in excess of the product: resulting from the treatment of metal according to the invention.' The next operation is j bundle, G, flanged as described, and then wound into ano-thercoil or bundle, G2, subsequent to flanging the side edges of the .'tliickness.

an advantage, furthermore, for the reason metal. Bundle or coil, G2, when completed is the finished product, and it is adapted to be held intact by any appropriate retaining means.

The coiled strapping is produced rapidly and'economically by the procedure last described, for the reason that the metal is not required to be manipulated by hand to any substantial extent, and the operations are performed in many instances byv machinery.

My new box strap is so strong-and durable that very thin metal can be used in its manufacture,.it beinv found practicable to use 30 gage sheet meta although it is not intended to restrict the invention to metal of any The use of -thin sheet metal is that strapping of .unusual length, up to 1,000 feet, or more. can be wound into `a compact bundle or coil.

The box strap maybe constructed with a` length of material, such as H, held in position on one face or side of the strap by the folded edges, a', 5, thereof. This strip H,

maybe composed of paper, or other appropriate material, and it may be used for different purposes, such as for advertising purposes, thestrip being shown as having advertising matter on its exposed face, whereby the strap serves as a means for identifying the particular boxes, etc., -of

the owner or shipper. Strip, H, is, pref,- crably, continuous, and it extendsover, and conceals, the joints between .the pieces of metal. The strip may be applied to, and united with, the strap during the operation of fianging it, and in FiO. 13, said strip is l I represented as being drawn from a roll, Hf,

H, permanently in position on the strap.

From vthe preceding description it is apparent that` the invention is susceptible fof various modifications.

lIt may be here stated that it is not intended to confine the invention to the use of rivets for fastening the pieces .of metal together, for the reason that other forms of fastening devices may be used. Furthermore, it is not essential that the turned over edges of the.pieces shall overlap the side edges of the tongues. Thus, in Fig. 16 there is shown a construction of strap wherein pieces, A, B', are provided with tongues,v C2, C3, overlapping each other and riveted ,at D2, the side edges of each piece being folded into overlapping engagement with the piece, as indicated at v0'* in connection with piece, B. Said construction is desir able for the reason that it obviates the operi As shown, the side edges of the `lapping tongues, C2, C3, are flush with theP corresponding edges of the pieces.

The process herein disclosed forms the subject matter of a divisional a plicat-ion filed by me on Nov..11, 1910, rial No. 591,827. l e,

Having thus fully described the invention, what Iclaini as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1.Metallic box strapping comprising pieces of metal united in endwise relation, said pieces having side edges folded upon the metal and overlapping the joints between said pieces, for the purpose of increasing the strength of saidjoints.

2. Metallic box strapping comprising pieces of metal each having a tongue -which overlaps the end portion of -an adjacent piece and is united thereto, the side edges of said Vpieces being doubled upony the metal and said doubled edges overlapping the tongue between adjacent pieces.

3. Metallic box strapping comprising pieces of sheetl metal, each piece having at one end a tongue the width of which is less than that of the piece, said tongue-of one piece overlappin an end portion of the next piece, and the side edges of the pieces being doubled or folded upon the metal. so that the doubled edges will overlap the tongues at speet to the strap and united thereto, said strip covering the connections between the metal pieces.

(3. Composite boX strapping comprising metal pieces united end to end and having a side edge flanged continuously, and a strip of material other than metal held on a face of the metal pieces by the `flanged edge thereof, said strip covering the union between the metal pieces.

7. B0X strapping comprising metal pieces .united at their ends, and a strip composed of 

